A roll-off is an open top dumpster characterized by a rectangular footprint, utilizing wheels to facilitate rolling the dumpster in place. The open top container is designed to be transported by special roll-off trucks. Roll-offs are commonly used to contain loads of construction and demolition waste or other waste types.
The construction debris may originate from a building site where something is being built, renovated, or demolished. Roll-off dumpsters are also used for various clean-out jobs that need much material to be taken away. The material in the roll-off may be taken to a landfill, recycled or disposed/recovered of in some other way.
Roll-off containers have a rectangular footprint typically determined by the size of typical trucks. Roll-off container sizes are determined by the amount of cubic yards of debris they contain. Typical container sizes are 10 yard, 20 yard, 30 yard, and 40 yard. While the roll-offs are rented by volume (in cubic yards), there are also weight limitations. Most roll-off providers will have a weight limit for each container size. Containers loaded with more weight than allowed will typically result in an overage charge.
Roll-offs are placed by a roll-off trucks. As the roll-off truck raises its hydraulically operated bed, the roll-off container rolls off of the bed. A cable is used to softly lower the container. After the waste container is loaded, the roll-off truck pulls the filled container onto the roll-off truck by using a cable and winch system. When being carried, the roll-off must be covered.
There are many items that are not accepted by roll-off rental companies. These items include but are not limited to paint, tires, computers, etc.
Most municipalities require that a permit be obtained in order to have a roll-off dumpster delivered. Some municipalities require the permit to be obtained by the customer, while others require the permit to be obtained by the roll-off provider.